| | Armory Show Opens 13th Edition as Centerpiece to the Biggest Week of Art in New York
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'Five Flavor Frieda' by Mel Ramos is displayed during the Armory Show 2011 at Pier 92 and 94 in New York. All rights reserved by The Armory Show. More photos here
NEW YORK, NY.- The Armory Show opened its thirteenth edition of the fair. The Armory Show 2011 features 274 blue-chip contemporary and modern art galleries from 31 countries. Keeping the focus ever on the artist, The Armory Show’s 2011 commissioned artist is Gabriel Kuri. Kuri’s work complements the special section Armory Focus: Latin America. As always, a robust calendar of VIP events, the Open Forum series of panels and roundtables featuring some of today’s greatest art minds, and collaborations with New York’s finest cultural institutions will keep art collectors and enthusiasts involved. Armory Arts Week continues to underscore the city’s unparalleled artistic communities. “With a stellar list of international galleries participating in this year’s Armory Show, and all the other events and fairs happening in the city, Armory Arts Weeks, once again, makes New York City shine as the t ... More |
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Pompeii Exhibit at New York City's Discovery Times Square Shines Light on Buried City
A detail from a mosaic fountain, unearthed after the volcanic eruption. AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews.
By: Ula Ilnytzky, Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP).- A new exhibition from Italy that opens Friday at New York's Discovery Times Square captures the last gasp of the ancient city of Pompeii before it was buried under volcanic ash, mud and rock when Mount Vesuvius erupted 2,000 years ago. Copies of body casts that researchers made from the skeletal remains of residents buried alive are an eerie part of the exhibit — a crouching man covers his mouth, a chained dog appears contorted, a family of four huddle together. A short film recreates what Pompeians might have felt as they tried to escape. The museum's floor vibrates as the volcano's furor grows; a movie screen rises and a double door opens to reveal a funereal scene of 20 "bodies" hardened in poses from their final moments. Pompeii existed for 700 years before it was snuffed out in just 24 hours. "Pompeii The Exhibit: Life and Death in the Shadow ... More | | Thomas Moran's Masterpiece "Green River Cliffs, Wyoming" Acquired by National Gallery of Art
Thomas Moran, Green River Cliffs, Wyoming, 1881 (detail), oil on canvas. National Gallery of Art, Washington, Gift of the Milligan and Thomson Families.
WASHINGTON, DC.- The National Gallery of Art, Washington, recently acquired American painter Thomas Moran's Green River Cliffs, Wyoming, 1881, a gift of the Milligan and Thomson Families. It was ten years after his first trip west in 1871 that Moran completed the most stunning of all his Green River paintings. The dramatic landscape is presented in a special installation on the main floor of the West Building from March 4 through June 26, 2011. "The National Gallery of Art has one of the finest collections of American landscape paintings in the nation, but we have always lacked a grand panoramic view of the American West. Green River Cliffs, Wyoming fills this gap in spectacular fashion," said Earl A. Powell III, director, National Gallery of Art. "We are exceedingly grateful for this generous gift from the Milligan and Thomson Families." The Gallery has two other paintings by Moran (1837–1926)—The Juniata, Evening, 1864 ... More | | Egypt's Top Archaeologist, Zahi Hawass, Warns of Looting at Country's Antiquity Sites
Dr. Zahi Hawass, Director for the Supreme Council of Antiquities, center, walks with members of the Egyptian special forces outside the Egyptian Museum. AP Photo/Tara Todras-Whitehill.
By; Hamza Hendawi, Associated Press
CAIRO (AP).- Egypt's top archaeologist, Zahi Hawass, warned that the country's antiquity sites were being looted by criminals amid the country's political upheaval as he announced he would no longer serve in his ministerial post in the government. Hawass was quoted in the Friday editions of Cairo's dailies as saying he would not participate in the new government to be led by prime minister designate Essam Sharaf. Hawass, the longtime head of Egypt's antiquities office, was elevated to Cabinet-level antiquities minister on Jan. 31, when ousted President Hosni Mubarak named a new government led by longtime friend Ahmed Shafiq. Shafiq resigned Thursday amid calls by protesters for his removal, and Sharaf has been tasked with naming a new government. ... More |
 | Valencian Institute of Modern Art Shows the Sculptural Work of Edgar Degas
The exhibition comprises a new edition of 74 bronze sculptures.
VALENCIA.- The exhibition presented by the IVAM comprises a new edition of 74 bronze sculptures, which were cast thanks to the recent discovery (in 2004) of the plaster figures made by Degas's close friend, the sculptor Paul-Albert Bartolomé, taken from the artist's original wax figures, with his knowledge and consent. On this occasion, Degas's sculptural work is arranged according to themes, focusing on the major subjects of his oeuvre: ballerinas on the stage or in the wings, bathers, horses and riders and busts. The director of the IVAM, Consuelo Ciscar, the curators of the exhibition, Walter F. Maibaum and Carol Conn, and president of the Abraham Center for the Visual Arts, Mr. Amir Kabiri, presented the exhibition 'The sculptures of Edgar Degas' which will run until April 17. Edgar Degas (Paris, 1834-1917), one of the most outstanding French artists of the late 19th century, has recently been rediscovered as an artist with an ... More | | Sotheby's in London to Sell Hascoe Family Collection of Important Czech Art
Josef Čapek, Sailor and Phantomas (double-sided work, detail shown) Estimate £150,000-200,000. Photo: Sotheby's.
LONDON.- On Monday, 13 June 2011, Sotheby’s London will offer Czech Modernist paintings, sculpture and Cubist furniture from the outstanding Hascoe Collection of Czech Modern Art. This collection is an extraordinary testimony to the vision of its creators, Norman and Suzanne Hascoe, who over the course of twenty-five years assembled what, is now one of the most important private collections of Czech Modernist art, and the most exciting group of Czech works to come to the market in the last decade. Together, the works in the sale – nearly 200 lots – are estimated to realise in excess of £5 million. The Hascoe Collection offers a remarkably complete survey of Czech painting and sculpture of the first half of the twentieth century. The core of this collection of paintings revolves around the leading figures of Czech Modernist painting: František Kupka, Bohumil Kubišta, František Foltýn, Emil Filla a ... More | | Leading Artists at Christie's New York Sale of South Asian Modern + Contemporary Art
Bhupen Khakhar, Landscape with Cannon. Estimate: $180,000-250,000. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2011.
NEW YORK, NY.- Christie’s South Asian Modern + Contemporary Art auction will feature works of leading 20th and 21st century Indian and Pakistani artists, juxtaposing tradition with a contemporary edge. The sale presents an exhilarating array of important works and will feature celebrated Modern Masters Tyeb Mehta, Syed Haider Raza, Francis Newton Souza, Vasudeo S. Gaitonde, Maqbool Fida Husain, Arpita Singh, Bhupen Khakhar and Manjit Bawa alongside the biggest names in contemporary art including Subodh Gupta, Rashid Rana, Atul Dodiya, Anju Dodiya, and TV Santhosh. Tyeb Mehta’s diptych Bulls, 2005-2007 (estimate on request) leads the sale. His last completed work, Bulls is the culmination of Mehta’s oeuvre and presents a rare opportunity for serious collectors to acquire the artist’s final and definitive achievement. Mehta has made history in the field at Christie’s, New York in 2002 by becoming the f ... More |
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Victoria & Albert Museum in London Unveils Exhibition of Road Project Designs
Michael Maltzan Architecture Exhibition Road courtyard © Michael Maltzan Architecture.
LONDON.- On 2 March 2011 the V&A unveiled the design proposals by the seven architectural teams shortlisted for the V&A’s Exhibition Road Project with a display of the models in the Sackler Centre. The exhibition is on display from March 2 through April 3, 2011. The seven shortlisted companies are: Amanda Levete Architects (London), Heneghan.peng.architects (Dublin), Jamie Fobert Architects (London), Jun Aoki & Associates (Tokyo), Michael Maltzan Architecture (Los Angeles), Snøhetta and Hoskins (Oslo and Glasgow), Tony Fretton Architects (London), Steve McGuckin, V&A Trustee and chair of the jury, said: “The shortlisted teams have all come up with highly creative and well thought through design solutions for this complex V&A site. Choosing a winning team to lead the Exhibition Road Project will not be an easy decision for the jury.” Sir Mark Jones, V&A Director, said: “We are delighted by the quality of the ... More | | Unpublished Churchill Speech on Hard Work and the Benefits of Science for Sale at Bonhams
The undelivered speech contains some typical ringing Churchillian phrases. Estimate: £5,000-6,000. Photo: Bonhams.
LONDON.- An unpublished speech by Sir Winston Churchill is coming up for sale as part of the Roy Davids Collection of Papers and Portraits at Bonhams in London on 29 March. It is estimated at between £5,000-6,000. The typed, six-page, speech printed on embossed Chartwell headed notepaper is dated September 1959 and is signed by Sir Winston. It was clearly intended to be used at his Adoption Meeting as parliamentary candidate for the Woodford constituency (in Essex) on 29 November. In the event he delivered another, almost entirely different, speech which was more overtly anti-socialist in tone. The undelivered speech contains some typical ringing Churchillian phrases, “Our crowded ... millions must earn their living the hard way by ingenuity, contrivance, enterprise and thrift... We have high opportunities to seize, and ... More | | Sotheby's Hong Kong To Hold 20th Century Chinese Art Spring Sale 2011 in April
Chu Teh-Chun’s Inspiration Hivernale (detail). Photo: Sotheby's.
HONG KONG.- Sotheby’s Hong Kong 20th Century Chinese Art Spring Sale will be held on 4 April offering a selection of 119 lots estimated at HK$117 million*. The auction will revolve around two major themes - Chinese abstract art and Modern Chinese sculpture – stimulating collectors’ knowledge and interest in these genres. The works featured in the abstract category are rich in cultural history, reflecting the aesthetic ideals and personal conviction of their respective artists. In addition to abstract art, collectors will be provided with an opportunity to acquire outstanding Realist works at the sale. Sylvie Chen, Head of Sotheby's 20th-Century Chinese Art Department, said: “For this auction, we have brought together important private collections from the United States and Europe, where the seminal works of several Chinese abstract art masters such as Zao Wou-ki and Chu Teh-Chun are featured. ... More |
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Historians from Canadian Archivists' Association Want Communist Files Protected
Hungarian State Security Archives researcher Laszlo Farkas looking at microfilms containing documents. AP Photo/Bela Szandelszky.
By: Pablo Gorondi, Associated Press
BUDAPEST (AP).- People spied on by Hungary's communist-era secret police could decide the future of the surveillance reports under a government proposal historians say would damage the country's ability to know about its past. The regime's network of informants once kept as many as 1.6 million people under watch, with relatives and neighbors informing on each other and the secret services compiling over 12 miles worth of files. The government says it is drafting legislation giving those spied upon the right to decide whether to save the original documents where they like, keep them for their grandchildren or destroy them. "A state ruled by law cannot keep personal information collected through unconstitutional means, as these are immoral documents of an immoral regime," the justice ministry said. Historians, however, have said the move would hinder research of the regime that ruled the country between ... More | | New Exhibition at Museum of Contemporary Art Shows Rodarte Fashions as Sculptures
The "White Swan" tutus designed by Kate and Laura Mulleavy. AP Photo/Chris Pizzello.
By: Sandy Cohen, AP Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP).- The black tutus from "Black Swan" twirl slowly, almost dancing with six other black feather-trimmed Rodarte dresses that hang suspended on invisible mannequins beside them. The white tutus from the film spin beside other white dresses layered with pearls, lace, silk chiffon, cotton cheesecloth and embroidered gauze. Long fluorescent tubes animate the display in white, red and black light, illuminating "Rodarte: States of Matter," a new exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art that opened Friday. "I definitely see something very different when I look at them in this way," says Kate Mulleavy, who founded Rodarte six years ago with her sister Laura. They share design duties. "The experience of dressing people and doing shows is such an incredible, thrilling experience, because clothes take on a different life and I always say people transform them, but to see them in this way makes you kind of confront and look ... More | | Acclaimed British Architect Norman Foster Design Picked for $2.8B Hong Kong Cultural Hub
File photo of British architect Norman Foster arriving at a hotel. AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos.
By: Min Lee, Associated Press
HONG KONG (AP).- Acclaimed British architect Norman Foster has won the right to design Hong Kong's new $2.8 billion West Kowloon cultural hub with a pitch to transform a reclaimed coastal strip into a lush waterfront park with both western and Chinese opera houses, concert halls, a museum and arts schools, officials said Friday. Others who submitted proposals were Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas and local designer Rocco Yim. But it was Foster + Partners' "City Park" proposal that won the endorsement of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority board with a plan to develop the 100-acre (40-hectare) site on the Kowloon peninsula. His other designs include the Hong Kong international airport, the international terminal at Beijing's airport and the HSBC building in Hong Kong. Hong Kong's Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang said Foster's plan prevailed because it was flexible and did a good job of mixing arts, space and commercial use like shops and ... More |
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 Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute Annouces Major GiftsWILLIAMSTOWN, MA.- The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute announced two endowment gifts totaling $4.5 million in recognition of the achievements of the Clark’s curatorial department. A $2.5 million gift establishes the position of Robert and Martha Berman Lipp Senior Curator and a $2 million gift endows the position of the Sylvia and Leonard Marx Director of Collections and Exhibitions. In 2007 a gift from the Manton Foundation endowed the position of Manton Curator of Prints, Drawings, and Photographs currently held by Jay A. Clarke. With these gifts the Clark realizes the goal of endowing all three of its senior curatorial positions. “The role of a curator is of supreme importance to any museum,” said Michael Conforti, the Clark’s Director. “As stewards of the collection, curators safeguard the museum’s treasures, oversee acquisitions, coordinate exhibitions and new scholarship, and inte ... More Christie's Hong Kong Completes First Day of Two-Day Wine Sale with HK$53m/US$6.8mHONG KONG.- Christie’s Hong Kong started the Spring season with its sale of Finest and Rarest Wines (Part I ) on Friday, 4th March 2011, with 91% of its lots sold, totalling HK$53,023,000/US$6,808,179. The two top lots of the day were both La Tâche – Vintage 1961 (6 magnums), each of which sold for HK$720,000/US$92,448. (estimate: HK$750,000-1,100,000). Part II of this sale will continue on Saturday, 5th March, 2011 from 12 noon at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Hong Kong. David Elswood, International Head of Wine at Christie's, said, "Hong Kong remains the global centre for the wine auction industry, and continues to be a focus for our activity. I and our expanded team in Asia are excited about the prospects of this season - looking at the encouraging sale results today, we anticipate continued demand for rare wines of the best quality, which we will be offering not only at our sales tomorrow, but also in Ap ... More Arctic Sanctuary: Images of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge at the Bruce MuseumGREENWICH, CT.- Opening March 5 and running through May 29, 2011, the new photographic exhibition Arctic Sanctuary: Images of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, Connecticut, celebrates a milestone in American conservation history, the establishment of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge five decades ago. The exhibition and its accompanying book feature both large-scale and intimate landscape images that commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northwest Alaska. Photographer Jeff Jones’ work conveys a sense of the scope, significance, and stunning beauty of the immense Arctic Refuge wilderness. Arctic Sanctuary leads the visitor on a journey deep into this landmark wilderness, a vast and remote land that remains untamed by technology and undisturbed by human development. In turns celebratory and contemplative ... More New Visitors Center for US Anthem's BirthplaceBy: Sarah Brumfield, Associated Press
BALTIMORE (AP).- After decades of making do with a small, outdated visitor center, the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine is getting new space and an update for the 21st century, just in time for the bicentennial of the War of 1812. The National Park Service's old center built in 1964 accommodated 250,000 visitors annually. It was soon overwhelmed and attendance grew to 650,000 in recent years, with about 30 percent of the groups that seek reservations being turned away, Superintendent Gay Vietzke said. The new $15 million, 17,000-square-foot center is expected to welcome 750,000 people annually and will likely see an attendance bubble in the years surrounding the bicentennial. Thursday's opening of the center falls on the 80th anniversary of the "Star-Spangled Banner" becoming the national anthem. The anthem made the fort on Baltimore's harbor one of the best-known sites associated with the war. "If you know something abou ... MorePhillips de Pury & Company's Design Auction, Vienna and the Wiener Werkstatte Totals $1,243,800NEW YORK.- Phillips de Pury & Company announce its inaugural mid-season Design auction, dedicated to early 20th-century Viennese design, totaled $1,243,800, including premium. The auction comprised 52 works, 66% of which sold, by important designers including Otto Wagner, father of Austrian Modernism, as well as Josef Hoffmann and Koloman Moser, founders of the Wiener Werkstätte, the early 20th-century Viennese design collective. Alexander Payne, Worldwide Director of Design:“This inaugural sale, warmly received and highly attended, attracted many new buyers including museums and major private international buyers. We’re thrilled to have had the opportunity to present such exceptional works. This market continues to attract a very high level of connoisseurship.” Top Ten Lots: • Lot 50 Koloman Moser Unique and important grand piano $182,500 • Lot 32 Attributed to Koloman Moser ... More Bam! Pow! Indian Comics Clamor to Make their MarkBy: Katy Daigle, Associated Press
NEW DELHI (AP).- The superhero — bulging legs stuffed into tight pants, broad chest adorned with a symbol of power — has vowed to fight the enemies of humanity. He is not Superman. He is not Batman. He is Shaktimaan, protector of all humanity — at least in India. In the cartoon skies over India soar a host of comic book superheros that have little to do with the leotarded titans of the West. Instead, the green-skinned and venomous Nagraj fights evil with snakes, widely worshipped across India, while three-eyed Shakti, clad in clingy leopard skins and skull ornaments, channels the Hindu death goddess Kali in waging her battle against the local scourge of female infanticide. It's heroes like these — drawn from India's culture and mythology, and endowed with powers from Hindu gods — that the $65 million Indian comic industry hopes will launch them into new media like animated TV shows, action films, advertising and digital Internet distribution. ... More |
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